Authorities for enhanced decentralization in health sector

Authorities have called for enhanced decentralization in the implementation and delivery of healthcare services in Lilongwe.

The authorities have also pressed for increased efforts by Health Surveillance Assistants(HSAs)  in health projects. 

Lilongwe District Environmental Health Officer (DEHO), Emmanuel Mbawa, made the remarks during an engagement meeting, which was organized by Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) to strengthen linkage between HSAs and Mother Care Groups (MCGs). 

Mbawa said there is need for collaboration government and its stakeholders in making sure that they are utilizing their platforms and make sure that people are reached with proper information in good time. 

During the meeting, it has come to right that there is lack of reporting forms to use by different MCGs in the areas, lack of transportation is also hindering members to reach people from hard-to-reach areas, HSA’s has also asked MHEN to consider organization monitoring and evaluation exercises frequently. 

MHEN has also learnt that there has to be more economic empowerment activities to be implemented in the areas, there has to be utilization of advocacy skills of MCGs as well fostering good collaboration and coordination with minded structures within the communities to enhance service delivery. 

This comes at a time, MHEN is conducting refresher training to MCGs in Lilongwe district on the impact of under five vaccines as one way of increasing Immunization uptake amongst the under five children in the district.

These activities are under the Health Systems Immunization Strengthening (HSIS) project funded by Global Alliance for Vaccine Immunization (GAVI) through the Ministry of Health.